Yolk@Shell Nanoreactors Carrying a Cluster of Metal Nanocrystals Stabilized Inside the Hollow Carbon Shell

Abstract

Synthesis and stabilization of ultrasmall metal nanocrystals at high temperature have always been challenging due to their self‐aggregating behavior. Here, we introduce a strategy to synthesize a cluster of tiny metal nanocrystals (~3 nm) inside a hollow carbon shell as yolk@shell‐type architecture following a metal‐coordination‐based nanocrystal stabilization at high temperature (500 °C). The successful catalytic reduction of 2‐amino‐4‐nitrophenol demonstrates the efficiency of such nanoreactor in chemical transformation. Further adaptation of this strategy helps in synthesizing bimetallic (Au/Pt, Au/Pd, and Au/Ru) nanocrystals, which unfolds the possibilities to design advanced new‐generation catalysts.

Research progress of yolk–shell structured nanoparticles and their application in catalysis

“…Due to the unique properties of YSNs, such as low density, movable core, void space between the core and shell, and their readily tailorability and functionality in both the cores and shells, YSNs materials have been widely used as catalysts in many reactions. [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] In most of the cases, the movable core of YSNs oen serve as catalyst, while the outer shell can not only control the diffusion of the reactants and products, but also provide a connement effect which prevent particles agglomeration and improve the catalytic performance.…”

“…Then Pd atoms are captured by the parent Pd core, which catalyzes the completion of the Suzuki reaction. Acharya et al synthesized Au@carbon YSNs which can efficiently catalyze the reduction of 2-amino-4-nitrophenol (NP) to 2,4-diaminophenol (AP) 61. Within 60 min, the deep yellow solution gradually faded, the absorbance at 443 nm (NP) of the UV-Vis absorption spectrum gradually decreased, and a new absorption peak appeared at 320 nm (AP).…”

Crosslinking Mechanisms of Phenol, Catechol, and Gallol for Synthetic Polyphenols: A Comparative Review

“…Inspired by the mechanism, synthetic polyphenols developed from phenolic building blocks have been introduced. Polydopamine [9][10][11][12][13], poly(L-DOPA) [14], poly(norepinephrine) [15][16][17], poly(gallic acid) [18], and poly(tannic acid) [19][20][21] are typical examples; the materials showing similar physicochemical properties to the natural polyphenols have been successfully used as adhesives, optical materials, sensors, and other bioinspired applications [12][13][14]. Especially due to their excellent biocompatibility [22,23], biodegradability [24], and wet-adhesion abilities [25,26], the self-assembled phenolic building blocks have been successfully utilized as biomaterials, such as nanomedicine, antimicrobial coating, and tissue scaffold (Figure 1).…”

Designing plasmonically integrated nanoreactors for efficient catalysis

“…[11][12][13][14][15] In addition, the confining nanospace ensures chemical stability, durability, and a complexligand-free environment for the nanoparticles. [16][17][18] However, the solution-phase synthesis of such unique plasmonic hybrids in a confined environment requires rigorous control over the reaction conditions because of the limitations related to structural precision, incompatible interfaces, and other factors. [19][20][21][22] Here, we describe the simple solution-phase synthesis of novel plasmonically integrated nanoreactors that combine multiple catalytic and magnetic domains within a single nanoscale domain.…”

“…The confinement of such plasmonic nanoparticles within a hollow nanospace can dramatically enhance the plasmon‐induced functionalities compared with those of the isolated nanoparticles 11–15 . In addition, the confining nanospace ensures chemical stability, durability, and a complex‐ligand‐free environment for the nanoparticles 16–18 . However, the solution‐phase synthesis of such unique plasmonic hybrids in a confined environment requires rigorous control over the reaction conditions because of the limitations related to structural precision, incompatible interfaces, and other factors 19–22 .…”